lefty carry gun
- Thread starter dam8
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ugaarguy
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- Mar 19, 2006
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dam8,
I'd venture that the Springfield XD and S&W 99/Walther P99 with their abi mag releases would be better. HK's USP & USP compact with their ambi mag releases and available LH decocker/safety lever are also good choices. That said none of it matters if the gun doesn't fit his hand. If the Glock fits he can learn, as many lefties do, to operate the mag release with his trigger finger. Get a gun that fits the shooters as this will make it easier to shoot more accurately - triggers are ambi on all guns
, controls can be adapted to. Here's a great article on gun fit with pics to help explain; http://www.corneredcat.com/FirstGun/TryOnGun.htm. The rest of the site is full of all kinds of great info for shooters of all experience levels. It's written and maintained by THR Moderator Emeritus Pax, Kathy Jackson. What I've written in regard to guns for lefties is what I've learned from talking to a several and reading what's been posted here. I've no doubt that some actual lefties here on THR will come by and give you better answers.
I'd venture that the Springfield XD and S&W 99/Walther P99 with their abi mag releases would be better. HK's USP & USP compact with their ambi mag releases and available LH decocker/safety lever are also good choices. That said none of it matters if the gun doesn't fit his hand. If the Glock fits he can learn, as many lefties do, to operate the mag release with his trigger finger. Get a gun that fits the shooters as this will make it easier to shoot more accurately - triggers are ambi on all guns
, controls can be adapted to. Here's a great article on gun fit with pics to help explain; http://www.corneredcat.com/FirstGun/TryOnGun.htm. The rest of the site is full of all kinds of great info for shooters of all experience levels. It's written and maintained by THR Moderator Emeritus Pax, Kathy Jackson. What I've written in regard to guns for lefties is what I've learned from talking to a several and reading what's been posted here. I've no doubt that some actual lefties here on THR will come by and give you better answers.critter
Member
Pricey but an HK P7-M8 is ideal for a southpaw.
highlander 5
Member
Beretta 92 or 96 just change the mag release
GunNut
Member
The Glock is a great gun, I've got 4 right now, but may not be too friendly for a lefty.
Have him look at the S&W M&P fullsize and compact guns. They have ambi-slide lock levers and reversible magazine releases.
Steve
Have him look at the S&W M&P fullsize and compact guns. They have ambi-slide lock levers and reversible magazine releases.
Steve
I'm a lefty and needing a reverseable slide/mag release is hogwash
Almost all pistols (including Glocks) are already very lefty friendly. I have yet to meet a design, other than the SIG's (the decocker is a little tricky but still doable) that I couldn't easily operate all the controls on with the left hand. There is also no need to reverse the magazine release and I wouldn't let that be a factor in the purchase. Using your trigger finger to release the slide/mag release(s) is very easy and fast.
The only time that being a lefty really comes into play is when you are going with a 1911, or some other design, that requires the use of a manual safety for safe operation. Then you will need to have an ambidextrous safety for ease of use.
The Glock is very "lefty" friendly and if he likes the overall design - then get it.
Almost all pistols (including Glocks) are already very lefty friendly. I have yet to meet a design, other than the SIG's (the decocker is a little tricky but still doable) that I couldn't easily operate all the controls on with the left hand. There is also no need to reverse the magazine release and I wouldn't let that be a factor in the purchase. Using your trigger finger to release the slide/mag release(s) is very easy and fast.
The only time that being a lefty really comes into play is when you are going with a 1911, or some other design, that requires the use of a manual safety for safe operation. Then you will need to have an ambidextrous safety for ease of use.
The Glock is very "lefty" friendly and if he likes the overall design - then get it.
10-Ring
Member
HK has your answer - between the P2000 & the P7M8 you've got very lefty friendly carry guns
kahrcarry
Member
I have to agree with steelhead. As a lefty myself, there is no gun that makes me feel handicapped for carry purposes. Maybe a standard 1911 w/o an ambi-safety, but that's it. It's all about learning the controls and adapting. I've been using "righty"-designed guns for so long that I don't even use the ambi features on most of my semi-autos. Tell your buddy to get what he likes and practice often.
steelhead nailed it.
Although I'm primarily a right-handed shooter, I took my Glock 26 through an intermediate-level firearms class and shot it as a lefty. No problems whatsoever.
Slide release: use the slingshot or overhand release rather than the slide stop lever.
Locking the slide open: use the technique shown near the bottom of this page: http://www.corneredcat.com/RunGun/rack.htm
Magazine release: use your index finger or middle finger.
Everything else is the same.
As for models with manual safeties, every carry gun, whether it belongs to a lefty or a righty, should have an ambidextrous safety switch. Every right-handed shooter is one sprained wrist away from being a left-handed shooter (& vice versa), and one of the most common gun-fight injuries is a wound to the dominant hand.
pax
Although I'm primarily a right-handed shooter, I took my Glock 26 through an intermediate-level firearms class and shot it as a lefty. No problems whatsoever.
Slide release: use the slingshot or overhand release rather than the slide stop lever.
Locking the slide open: use the technique shown near the bottom of this page: http://www.corneredcat.com/RunGun/rack.htm
Magazine release: use your index finger or middle finger.
Everything else is the same.
As for models with manual safeties, every carry gun, whether it belongs to a lefty or a righty, should have an ambidextrous safety switch. Every right-handed shooter is one sprained wrist away from being a left-handed shooter (& vice versa), and one of the most common gun-fight injuries is a wound to the dominant hand.
pax
PX15
Member
FWIW:
I'm a lefty, and my recently acquired Walther P99c/AS is light years the best all around pistol I've owned..
In years past I've owned a couple of Glock 26's, and the Walther P99c/AS reminds me of an "improved" Glock26..
Improved in that, FOR ME, a safer trigger system & trigger/striker, better ergonomics, better,ambi mag release, and so on.... The Walter P99c/AS also is an accurate, or the most accurate pistol right out of the box I've ever owned, with the best trigger/striker... Smooth as silk..
JMO
Best Wishes,
J. Pomeroy
I'm a lefty, and my recently acquired Walther P99c/AS is light years the best all around pistol I've owned..
In years past I've owned a couple of Glock 26's, and the Walther P99c/AS reminds me of an "improved" Glock26..
Improved in that, FOR ME, a safer trigger system & trigger/striker, better ergonomics, better,ambi mag release, and so on.... The Walter P99c/AS also is an accurate, or the most accurate pistol right out of the box I've ever owned, with the best trigger/striker... Smooth as silk..
JMO
Best Wishes,
J. Pomeroy
old_ironsights
Member
dam8 writes, "Got a friend who has a new ltc pemit. He's interested in a Glock. Is there a better gun for a lefty?"
Yes, dam8 there is a better gun for a lefty.
It's called a revolver.
In the instance of the illustration, a Taurus 445, a .44 Special. 246 gr. bullets are an especially effective attitude adjuster!
Yes, dam8 there is a better gun for a lefty.
It's called a revolver.
In the instance of the illustration, a Taurus 445, a .44 Special. 246 gr. bullets are an especially effective attitude adjuster!
Sistema1927
Member
Another lefty chiming in to say that most semi-autos are already "lefty-friendly". I honsetly don't know how righties work the controls on most pistols, since they seem to be tailored for us lefties. Even the venerable 1911 is great for lefties, once you add an ambi safety to it.
Thanks all, as far as the mag release, on my 1911 i can't operate it with my thumb. I have to use my left hand. While shooting weak hand, I just use my index finger. I think my friend has his heart set on a glock. ( personally I don't like them) As said earlier... get what you want, practice often and one can get used to just about anything.
Dam8;
I'm a lefty & have been carrying for a while now. The most recent, not the first, carry gun I bought was the H&K USPc in .40, 'bout 10 years ago. I sent it in & have had the ambi lever installed. I've got no plans to replace it either.
Far as I'm concerned, you can't beat the quality of H&K. What other manufacturer has deliberately lodged a bullet in the barrel & then fired another round into the obstructed barrel? And shows the results? With a not half-bad group then shot from that barrel afterwards from the same pistol? The USP series, H&K catalog 701917 page 3. Not the current catalog by the way, don't know if the current one shows that or not.
900F
I'm a lefty & have been carrying for a while now. The most recent, not the first, carry gun I bought was the H&K USPc in .40, 'bout 10 years ago. I sent it in & have had the ambi lever installed. I've got no plans to replace it either.
Far as I'm concerned, you can't beat the quality of H&K. What other manufacturer has deliberately lodged a bullet in the barrel & then fired another round into the obstructed barrel? And shows the results? With a not half-bad group then shot from that barrel afterwards from the same pistol? The USP series, H&K catalog 701917 page 3. Not the current catalog by the way, don't know if the current one shows that or not.
900F
Another lefty here
Tell him to buy the gun that feels best in his hand and then train a lot with it. For that matter tell him caliber doesn't matter that much either, what counts is shot placement. Once he is used to manipulating everything with his left hand then he needs to start working on shooting, loading, etc. with his right hand. If you are not ambidextrous with a weapon and your strong hand is out you are screwed.
Tell him to buy the gun that feels best in his hand and then train a lot with it. For that matter tell him caliber doesn't matter that much either, what counts is shot placement. Once he is used to manipulating everything with his left hand then he needs to start working on shooting, loading, etc. with his right hand. If you are not ambidextrous with a weapon and your strong hand is out you are screwed.
spankaveli
Member
lefty here, my glock has no issues in my use
for a carry gun, i have a kimber ultra carry and added an ambi safety. nothing beats it.
for a carry gun, i have a kimber ultra carry and added an ambi safety. nothing beats it.
Autolycus
Member
Walther and HK make lefty friendly guns. I myself prefer the HK P2000 and
P2000sk for myself. I am left handed as well. I have the LEM trigger and love it. It is an improved Glock in my book.
P2000sk for myself. I am left handed as well. I have the LEM trigger and love it. It is an improved Glock in my book.
Sry0fcr
Member
I'm pretty sure the P2000 has an ambi slide release as well.
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